24th December 2017
Christmas Eve means it’s time to deliver presents. I went to visit the newest member of the family, little Ethan. He is what Christmas is all about, happy to be the centre of attention, and to tear wrapping paper into shreds. He is still innocent, and that brings a tear to my eye.
In the evening I decided to walk to the pub for a drink. The Barrington Boar is the centre of the village, a great place for food and local beer.
I didn’t know what I expected, the place was packed, lots of laughter, and full of people. I stood with my beer in hand, but it was surreal, it was like virtual reality where everything was going on around, and I was in the middle, isolated. I was a stranger, and not part of this community, and no one made any attempt to welcome me into it. I guess my expectations were too high, I thought small communities drew people into the heart, but maybe that’s my romantic vision of the English which is not real. I still enjoyed the beer though.
Another Lifetime to go 